Mold Testing Near Me in Elmwood Park, Illinois

Mold testing is helpful for current homeowners and potential buyers and sellers desiring to preserve their investment and their loved ones. Take advantage of the most trusted mold inspection service in your area and attain confidence knowing the things most important in life are protected by scheduling a mold inspection from Pillar To Post™.

Is Mold A Hazard?

The spores of mold are ever-present in the air, only becoming visible when conditions are right, and the fungus finds an appropriate surface to colonize. The fungus usually prefers dark and humid spaces. Among other things, your professional mold inspector will detect the source of the moisture – whether it’s from recently occurring flooding or leaks – to help you develop a strategy for remediation. Mold can be virtually any color, including red, green, yellow, white, and black, which is famously associated with a particularly toxic species, Stachybotrys chartarum, known to trigger dangerous reactions in certain individuals and pets.

Although this fungus is not hazardous for most people, it does result in serious aesthetic issues and a stale odor. Even more concerning, the fungus eats the surfaces that it colonizes, compromising materials and degrading the structural integrity of a building over time. It feeds on cellulose materials that are common in nearly every house, including:

• Drywall
• Wood
• Carpet
• Insulation
• Ceiling tiles
• Wallpaper
• Fabrics
• Upholstery
• Some Painted surfaces
• Paper
• Cardboard
• And More

Mold testing can detect the variety present and uncover the source of moisture contributing to a growth inside of your current home or the one you’re thinking about buying. A common request posed to mold inspectors with Pillar To Post™ is if it’s possible to test a person for mold exposure. This cannot be ascertained by our mold inspection service but can be performed by a healthcare provider with blood and skin screening. A skilled mold inspection will offer you more leverage in your home-selling negotiations or give you more knowledge into the quality of your investment and the safety of occupants when purchasing a house.

What Is Done During a Mold Inspection?

A vetted mold inspection service is your optimal resource to detect the extent of mold infestation and develop a remediation plan going forward. Mold testing by Pillar To Post™ comes with the benefit of the best technology and techniques in the business for added peace of mind. The manner in which your mold inspector conducts testing may differ with each home, but will typically involve the following:

• Initial Assessment: The mold inspector from Pillar To Post™ collects information about the home, any noted mold issues, and your worries during the initial consultation to formulate a plan for mold testing.
• Visual Inspection: The inspector will perform a visual inspection of the property, checking for any visible signs of mold colonization. They will examine areas of the property that are known to be inclined to mold growth, such as basements, bathrooms, and kitchens.
• Moisture detection: Assessing moisture levels is vital in recognizing likely sources of mold spread. Moisture meters and other specialized equipment are used to assess the moisture levels inside building materials and locate areas with high humidity or water intrusion behind walls, under flooring, or in other concealed spaces. Infrared equipment may be used to find areas where mold colonization may be happening.
• Air Sampling: Mold testing may necessitate air samples to be gathered from multiple areas of the home using specific equipment. The air samples will be sent to a lab for assessment to establish the type and concentration of mold spores present in the air.
• Surface Sampling: If mold infestation is presumed but not readily apparent, the inspector could acquire surface samples from areas such as walls, ceilings, or other areas. This involves swiping or tape-lifting a small sample, which are then sent to a lab for analysis.
• Documentation and Reporting: An in-depth report will be given to clients after the mold inspection is complete, including any areas of the home where mold was discovered, the type of mold present, and recommendations for mitigation.
• Recommendations and Remediation Plan: Based on the inspection results, the inspector provides recommendations to deal with the mold issues and stop further growth.
• Follow-up and Clearance Testing: After restoration efforts, the inspector may execute a secondary inspection to ensure that the mold problem has been adequately addressed. Final testing may be conducted to confirm that the indoor environment meets acceptable mold spore levels and is healthy for occupants.
• Education and Prevention: The inspector informs the client about mold prevention measures, including appropriate airflow, moisture control, and care procedures.

How Can I Facilitate an Effective Mold Inspection On the Day the Inspector Arrives?

You don't need to do a lot in preparing for a mold inspection besides guaranteeing that your inspector can effortlessly access parts of the house where you suspect mold growth. It is also recommended to make arrangements for pets to be outdoors of the house during the course of the inspection time to guarantee that the results of the inspection are not influenced by pet dander or additional allergens.

A few activities you should avoid partaking in to ensure the reliability of mold testing include:

• Refrain from cleaning with chemicals in any areas within the property where you think mold growth to be growing.
• Do not use air pumps or air filtration units while the inspection is being conducted, as these can impact the accuracy of the results.
• If feasible, refrain from engaging in tasks such as cooking, smoking, or utilizing chemical-releasing products in the indoor environment for a minimum of 24 hours before the inspection. This precaution will help in preventing the inspection results from being affected by additional airborne contaminants.

It is also recommended to keep all windows and doors closed for a minimum of 12 hours before the inspection. This precaution guarantees that the environment inside the house remains motionless and correctly represents the usual indoor air quality. By adhering to these guidelines, you will improve the accuracy of your mold inspection service and examination.

Call Pillar To Post™ in Elmwood Park, Illinois Soon

Mold can rapidly spread inside a home and be a danger to the well-being of inhabitants as well as the structural stability of the property itself. An accurate and comprehensive professional mold inspection provides valuable information on preventing its spread and eliminating the fungus for good. Prospective buyers will receive the necessary information to make informed decisions, while property owners can utilize the report obtained from a mold inspector to protect their property or expedite the sale. When looking for the most reliable mold inspection service near me in Elmwood Park, Illinois, choose the most recommended name by property owners, buyers, and real estate professionals and call Pillar To Post™ today.